Course Expectations

Grading Standards

Assignments/Grading Procedures and Standards

1. Learning Assignments (Related Chapter Assignments) (38 points):
Everyone will be required to complete 5 assignments related to the course. These assignments should be submitted to me (via the D2L-Assignment Link) on or before the due date (see course outline). Please have your assignments completed by the due date. Points will be taken off for late assignments. Each assignment should be thoroughly examined using information from past experiences and the text. They should also be free of grammatical errors, titled, and double-spaced. Please see the course calendar for specific due dates and assignments. These assignments will be the basis for class activities and discussions. Each assignment is worth the following: Learning Assignment #1= 3 points, Learning Assignment #2= 3 points, Learning Assignment #3= 6 points, Learning Assignment #4=8 points, and Learning Assignment #5=18 points. See Learning Assignment Instructions Icon on D2L.

2. D2L Online Discussions (28 points):
Each student will be required to participate in online discussions related to the text and additional course materials. Using Web CT, students will be required to post to each discussion board at least 6 times. See course calendar for actual dates. Most discussions will last for two weeks (see course outline). Each discussion will begin on a Monday and end on a Sunday. Online responses should be done throughout the week which allows you to interact with your peers more effectively. Posting all of your discussion responses on the same day is unacceptable. The discussion board should read like an online conversation, so each student should begin their posts no later than the first Wednesday to allow other students adequate time to respond to your posts. Specific directions will be given with each discussion assignment. Responses should reflect information related to the text/course materials and provide insight into your thoughts and concerns regarding the topic or issue presented (e.g. personal stories, experiences, opinions, quotes from the book, theorists, etc…). One word responses and incomplete answers are unacceptable. Make sure your posts push the discussion forward. “Good point, Tom!” is an example of a less desirable post. A more desirable response would be: “I agree, Tom. Our text does support…… Piaget’s theory of Cognitive development states that…At my daycare I saw an example <span class="scayt-misspell" data-scayt_word="of…." "="" data-scaytid="3">of….” Students will be required to participate in 8 online discussions. Please see the course calendar for online discussion dates and topics. Each discussion will be worth 3.5 points.

3. Position Paper (34 points): This course is a dual listed course meaning that some participants are taking this course as a graduate course. Graduate students will be required to complete one position paper using the criteria below. More information will be given during our face-to-face meeting. Please see the course calendar for due dates.

Final Exam

12/12/2016 online

Submission Format Policy

Assignments/Submission Format and Policy

1. Learning Assignments (Related Chapter Assignments) (38 points):
Everyone will be required to complete 5 assignments related to the course. These assignments should be submitted to me (via the D2L-Drop Box Assignment Link) on or before the due date (see course outline). Please have your assignments completed by the due date. Points will be taken off for late assignments. Each assignment should be thoroughly examined using information from past experiences and the text. They should also be free of grammatical errors, titled, and double-spaced. Please see the course calendar for specific due dates and assignments. These assignments will be the basis for class activities and discussions. Each assignment is worth the following: Learning Assignment #1= 3 points, Learning Assignment #2= 3 points, Learning Assignment #3= 6 points, Learning Assignment #4=8 points, and Learning Assignment #5=18 points. See Learning Assignment Instructions Icon on D2L dropbox.

2. D2L Online Discussions (28 points):Each student will be required to participate in online discussions related to the text and additional course materials. Using D2L, students will be required to post to each discussion board at least 6 times. See course calendar for actual dates. Most discussions will last for two weeks (see course outline). Each discussion will begin on a Monday and end on a Sunday. Online responses should be done throughout the week which allows you to interact with your peers more effectively. Posting all of your discussion responses on the same day is unacceptable. The discussion board should read like an online conversation, so each student should begin their posts no later than the first Wednesday to allow other students adequate time to respond to your posts. Specific directions will be given with each discussion assignment. Responses should reflect information related to the text/course materials and provide insight into your thoughts and concerns regarding the topic or issue presented (e.g. personal stories, experiences, opinions, quotes from the book, theorists, etc…). One word responses and incomplete answers are unacceptable. Make sure your posts push the discussion forward. “Good point, Tom!” is an example of a less desirable post. A more desirable response would be: “I agree, Tom. Our text does support…… Piaget’s theory of Cognitive development states that…At my daycare I saw an example <span class="scayt-misspell" data-scayt_word="of…." "="" data-scaytid="7">of….” Students will be required to participate in 8 online discussions. Please see the course calendar for online discussion dates and topics. Each discussion will be worth 3.5 points.

3. Position Paper (34 points): This course is a dual listed course meaning that some participants are taking this course as a graduate course. Graduate students will be required to complete one position paper using the criteria below. More information will be given during our face-to-face meeting. Please see the course calendar for due dates. The position paper will be submitted online through D2L.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Assignments must be submitted on time to receive full credit. All assignments must be turned in no later than one week past the deadline. Points will be deducted for late assignments. Assignments turned in more than two weeks after the deadline will not be accepted.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Although the course requires a thorough understanding of the readings and assignments, online discussions will provide the basis for learning and assessment.

Because of the absence of in class collaboration and face-to-face communications, participation in the discussion boards is crucial to the successful completion of this course.

Other Policies

Plagiarism Statement

“By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a ‘limited right’ in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The ‘limited right’ shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality, authenticity, and educational <span class="scayt-misspell" data-scayt_word="purposes." "="" data-scaytid="9">purposes.” (from Student Handbook)

Writing Proficiency Requirement

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Campus Carry

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.